Construction

CPCCCM2001A Read and interpret plans and specifications

Introduction

This unit specifies the competency required to read and interpret plans and
specifications relevant to General Construction operations.

The unit includes the identification of types of plans and drawings and
their functions, the recognition of commonly used symbols and abbreviations,
the identification of key features and specifications on a site plan, the
comprehension of written job specifications and the recognition of document
status and amendment detail.

Why do we have plans?

Plans show all people
interested in the proposed structure what it will look like when
completed, and how it will be constructed.

People who may have an interest in plans for
proposed structures:

the client and the lending
body

local council (they must
approve the application before the project can proceed)

various supply authorities,
for example, water, sewerage and drainage

electrical and gas and
cable supply companies

builders and
sub-contractors wanting to quote on the project

the client and the lending
body

engineers

carpenters

bricklayers

concreters

painters (dry wall &
wet wall plasterers)

real estate agents

neighbours

kitchen manufacturers

landscapers

various material or product
suppliers

e.g. windows & doors,
timber etc

environmental agencies

mechanical service
installers, e.g. air conditioning, fire alarms

may also have an interest

excavation contractors
plasterers (gyprockers)

surveyors

electricians

roof & floor tilers

plumbers

form workers

police, fire brigade

bathroom and mirror
suppliers

roads & traffic
authority

What will the plans show the interested parties?

They will:

show the location of
various features on the site and illustrate details about the building
e.g. construction details for specific trades people

show the height, position
and bulk of the building so that council can determine compliance to its
codes.

allow builders and trades
people to prepare written quotations. Remember written quotations (quotes)
or contracts should only relate to approved building plans. An estimate
should be given prior to council approval.

What types of plans do I need to be familiar
with?

Location Plan

A location plan may be required if it is a big development
so that the relative location of the site in a particular street is clear. It
will show lot numbers, deposit plan numbers and a north point, using various
scales but usually 1:5,000.

Site or Block Plan

Features to look for on plans.

A datum is a reference
point of known or assumed height to which all other site levels will
refer.

Plan page number, clientâ€™s
name, project address, scales used, name and reference numbers of
draftsperson and the date the plans were drawn.

Features that must be
preserved e.g. trees, rocks, existing structures

Contours may also be
imposed on a plan or may be noted separately. These show the fall in the
land, are usually related to the datum and usually spaced at 500mm
horizontal intervals for a single building development, while still
showing the north point.

The term â€śReduced levelâ€?
e.g. (RL 100.000) may also be seen. This may indicate finished floor,
ceiling, eave and roof apex in relation to the datum

Distance from the
boundaries to the buildingâ€™s outer walls or â€śfootprintâ€? -mostly of
interest for council and neighbours. Most councils have a code or
specifications for the distances between the building and the side, front
and rear boundaries. The distance from the front boundary to the building
is referred to as the front building line.

Driveways, stormwater
drainage, paths, easements and right of carriage (right of use) may also
be shown.

Floor Plans

Reproduced with kind permission of CITB

These are horizontal
sections through the building viewed from above. They can be drawn at
various scales, but usually 1:100.

What do floor plans identify?

Floor level - e.g. ground,
garage, first floor etc.

Room names and their
internal sizes.

Width of openings and
thickness/type of walls, - e.g. brick, timber.

Overall dimensions of the
building, cupboards, halls and spaces.

Position of fixtures - e.g.
for wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchen and laundries, the position the
bath, shower, toilet, cupboards, basins should be indicated.

Type of floor covering may
also be shown.

Elevations

Reproduced with kind permission of CITB

An elevation is a view you see when standing in front of that wall. It may
be multi-storey or single-storey, usually drawn to a scale of 1:100. This scale
can vary.

Most councils require an elevation from each side of the proposed
development and the view is indicated by north, south, east or west - e.g. If
the wall is on the west side of the house, it is the west elevation.

Elevations indicate:

finish to external walls
and;

size of windows, doors and
balconies.

Sections

Reproduced with kind permission of CITB.

What is a section?

It is a vertical view (â€śsliceâ€?) through the building. The direction of
section lines or arrows is usually shown on the plan to help interpret the
sectional view.

Detailed Drawings

Detailed Drawings are used to illustrate the particular
method of construction or finish required - e.g. structural steelwork, concrete
work, brickwork. They are usually drawn at scales that are easy to read (1:20,
1:5) .

Specifications

Specifications set out the minimum standards or codes
necessary to obtain relevant sizes for all structural components.Specifications
may also detail the fixtures and fittings. It will not indicate utilities such
as water or electricity.

These plans show how the
site will be established or â€śset upâ€?. They indicate plans for the
management of deliveries, storage of materials and the storage and
eventual removal of waste.

Environmental issues such as the control of surface runoff, using cattle
grids, silt fences, wash down areas and the protection of trees or any
other significant feature can also be indicated environmental site plans .

Landscape Plans

These may be required for building or development approval indicate the
extent, type and potential height of flora to be planted.

Shadow Diagrams

Bracing Schedules

These indicate the type, position and amount of fixing required when
installing bracing to timber frames. They are mainly drawn up by the frame
supplier, however engineers, draftspersons and builders may also become
involved. Approving authorities now require these schedules more often.

Assessment requirements

identify title panel and
reference date (i.e. up-to-date copy of drawings) and

indicate a sound
understanding of the purpose of specifications in accordance with work
orientation.

Method of Assessment

Assessors gather different
types of evidence about your level of competency. If you are working
one-to-one with a supervisor, evidence may be gathered more regularly. If
you are working in a team, the evidence gathered may be more indirect; for
example, colleagues may be consulted or the final task observed.

More than one competency
may be determined at the same time. This is known as an integrated project
work.

Assessment evidence may be
gathered at various stages of the project work in accordance with
assessment criteria as outlined in the syllabus.

In the workplace

Plans need to be viewed at the site regularly to determine the correct
position, size and finish of:

buildings

walls

fixtures

rooms

roofs

driveways, paths, parking
areas and

landscaping.

Plans also need to be protected from damage, weather and misuse on the
worksite.